1 2026:CGHC:23007 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 757 of 2026 1 - Bhuneshwar Sahu S/o Late Ganeshram Sahu Aged About 38 Years R/o Arang (Akoli Road Atal Bihar Colony), P.S. Arang, District Raipur (C.G.) ... Applicant(s) versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through S.H.O Police Station Kasdol District Balodabazar- Bhatapara (C.G.) ... Respondent(s) For Petitioner(s) : Mr. Om Prakash Sahu, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Dr. Sourabh Pandey, Dy. A.G. Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order on Board 14.05.2026 1. This first anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed by the applicant, who is apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No.430/2025 registered at Police Station – Kasdol, District - Baloda Bazar Bhatapara (C.G.) for the offences punishable under Sections 316(5), 318(4), 318(3), 3(5) and Section 111 of the BNS 2023. 2. The prosecution story, in brief is that on 25.08.2023 the complainant, namely Rajkumar Yadu, came into contact with co- accused Ramnarayan Sahu and his son Gulshan Sahu, who allegedly induced the complainant to invest money in share ABHIGYA SAXENA Digitally signed by ABHIGYA SAXENA 2 trading on the assurance that the invested amount would be doubled. Acting upon such representation, the complainant allegedly invested an amount of Rs.37,50,000/- and Rs.24,00,000/- in cash, while the remaining amount was transferred to the bank accounts of Devnarayan and Janki Sahu. In this manner, a total sum of Rs.81,00,000/- was allegedly invested with the assurance that the amount would be doubled within a period of two years. However, it is alleged that the applicants failed to return the invested amount and thereby cheated the complainant. On the basis of the aforesaid allegations, the present offence has been registered. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has not committed any offence as alleged by the police, and has been falsely implicated in the present case. It is further submitted that the applicant himself is a victim and the name of the applicant does not find mention either in the FIR or in the statements of any of the prosecution witnesses and he has been arrayed as an accused solely on the basis of the memorandum statement of co-accused Diwakar Awasariya, who allegedly stated that the co-accused persons along with the present applicant had obtained money through the Angel One App in the name of share market investment on the pretext of providing double returns. Except for the said memorandum statement, there is no material available on record to establish the involvement of the present applicant in the alleged offence and no 3 specific overt act has been attributed to him. The police have completed the investigation against him and filed the charge- sheet. The applicant is ready to cooperate with the investigation, and his custodial interrogation is not required. It is also submitted that the co-accused, namely, Ranu Dhruw (MCRCA No.220/2026 decided on 11.02.2026), Dharanidhar Patel (MCRCA No.530/2026 decided on 10.04.2026), have already been granted bail by this Court, and the case of the present applicant stands on similar footing, hence, he prays for grant of bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposed the anticipatory bail application of the applicant. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the submissions advanced by learned counsel for the parties, the nature of the dispute, and the material available on record, and in view of the fact that the similarly situated co-accused, namely, Ranu Dhruw (MCRCA No.220/2026 decided on 11.02.2026), Dharanidhar Patel (MCRCA No.530/2026 decided on 10.04.2026), this Court finds that the present applicant is entitled to the benefit of parity. Therefore, without making any further comment on the merits of the case, this Court deems it appropriate to grant anticipatory bail to the applicant. 4 7. Accordingly, the instant MCRCA is allowed and it is directed that in the event of arrest of the applicant – Bhuneshwar Sahu, on executing a personal bond and one local surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting Officer, he shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (a) he shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such fact to the Court. (b) he shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial. (c) he shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to him by the said Court till disposal of the trial. (d) the applicant and the surety shall submit a copy of his adhaar card along with a coloured postcard full size photo having printed the adhaar number on it, which shall be verified by the trial Court. (e) he shall not involve himself in any offence of similar nature in future. Sd/-/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Saxena